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Hi, I was wondering if anyone could tell me exactly what to look for in order to determine whether or not my caiman is overfed. What is a good and acurate method for determining whether he's well fed or over fed? If it helps, he's estimated at five or six years old, and is around five feet long. Thank you.

While some might disagree, I personally feel that if you are feeding every day and are feeding him until he's completely full...then you are overfeeding him. Typically when I feed my alligator, he is fed 3-4 times per week, depending on the size of the last meals. As far as your caiman's size versus age, I'd say he's in good shape as far as that is concerned. What kind of caiman is this...spectacled? Do you happen to have a photo?

Chris

>>Hi, I was wondering if anyone could tell me exactly what to look for in order to determine whether or not my caiman is overfed. What is a good and acurate method for determining whether he's well fed or over fed? If it helps, he's estimated at five or six years old, and is around five feet long. Thank you.
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Yes, he's a spectacled caiman, although after doing a bit of research I believe him to be a yacare caiman (note the blotches on the lower jaw). Please note that I do have additional lighting, but turned some off to get the picture to come out. Also, this is my first time posting a picture, so hopefully it shows up. If it does not, I apologize.

-Drewsky.
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Typically I feed young crocodilians till they reach a satition point if environmental conditions are optimum. After they get a little older you have to start watching their weight. When they are young they put all the extra calories and nutrition into growth. They get longer first and then starting adding weight. The tail should always remain full.

After awhile the girth starts to balance the length and the animal can put on extra adipose tissue. You want you animal to look full but not stuffed. I have found that animals kept with proper environmental conditions and normal activity levels stay relatively lean on our feeding regimen. We feed very heavy in the summer and rarely in the winter. Spring and fall are variable.

With a seasonal pattern it prevents a 12 month glutton from developing.

>>Hi, I was wondering if anyone could tell me exactly what to look for in order to determine whether or not my caiman is overfed. What is a good and acurate method for determining whether he's well fed or over fed? If it helps, he's estimated at five or six years old, and is around five feet long. Thank you.
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'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'